2017 English Channel swim

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

bad news/ good news

Date: July 22, 2009 4:05:53 PM EDT My boat pilot said that the winds have decreased enough for a 10 hour window. Because I estimate that my swim will take 16 hrs plus, he recommended not to swim and advised to wait. I mentioned to him that I was flying out on Saturday and the last day of my slot ends tomorrow. He said very good conditions are predicted for Saturday and Sunday. Also, saying that he would take me over the week-end. After discussing this problem with my husband, Jim said to go for it. So guess what? I have cancelled my flight back to Maine and I'm staying for the weekend. I've been training for the past three years and I'm going for it. This has certainly been a roller coaster ride for the past week---but I have learned in life that sometimes things work out for a reason. And I'm so lucky to have such a wonderful husband who is very supportive of my dream

Pat, We are very excited for you. I cried when I read your last entry "bad news/good news". Would'nt Ethel be proud of her son, what a wonderful support to you. Love, Linda Kilbride Reinholdtsen and Family

Pat,You are the talk of the town and an inspiration to all who have dreams. We are proud to know you and your wonderful and loving family. Good luck and we will be thinking of you until your safe return.

I love reading your blog, and I am so pleased you're going to get your shot this weekend. We post all of the updates at the front desk here at the Y, and lots of members are avidly following your journey. Good luck!Marjorie Stone

Pat Gallant-Charette

Photo by Brian Fitzgerald

Go Grandma! You can do it, if you try!

Meet Pat Gallant-Charette, a native of Maine, Westbrook resident, University of Southern Maine graduate, wife, mother, sister, grandmother, and retired nurse. In her spare time, 67 year old Pat is a marathon swimmer. In her first attempt of the English Channel at the age of 58, success was snatched from her grasp in July 2008. After swimming 16 hours in the Channel, with the lights in French homes encouraging her and still feeling strong, Pat fought impenetrable currents for four hours just 1.7 miles from the finish line. While Pat had made it across....and that was a dream come true...the ultimate challenge had eluded her. In 2009, prevaling winds prevented Pat from starting her second attempt of the English Channel. Pat returned to Maine determined to return to Dover for another attempt. She came late to the Gallant-Charette swimming club. Her son Tom was on the Westbrook High School swim team and her youngest brother, Robbie Gallant twice won the 2.4 mile Peaks to Portland swim. Robbie, just 34 years old, was a loving husband, and devoted father to three year old Christopher when he suffered a fatal heart attack twenty years ago. Soon after Robbie's untimely death, Pat's son Tom said, "Ma, I'd like to swim the Peaks to Portland as a tribute to Uncle Robbie." Pat replied, "Tom, that's so sweet, I wish I could do the same." Looking at her encouragingly, Tom said, "You can, if you try." Those words inspired Pat to swim Peaks. At the age of 46 her fitness regime had consisted mainly of walking, but with a regular workout schedule at the local pool, Pat gradually built up her endurance. She met the qualifying requirement for the Peaks to Portland swim the following year. You can only imagine her emotion on finding her young nephew Christopher waiting for her at the end of that swim....that success encouraged her to seek other goals, including a double crossing of Maine's Big Sebago Lake (12 miles), the Great Chesapeake Bay swim (4.4 miles) and the Strait of Gibraltar swim (9 miles), where stroke by stroke Pat repeated her mantra, "You can, if you try". Then on June 16, 2010 at the age of 59 years and 134 days Pat swam across the Strait of Gibraltar (Spain to Africa) in a time of 3 hours and 28 minutes. And much to her surprise, she placed 3rd fastest woman's time since 1928, set the U.S.Woman's record for fastest time, and the new record for the fastest time for any woman or man over the age of 50 worldwide. Pat nurtured the belief that she was capable of swimming the English Channel, considered by many to be the greatest test of a long distance swimmer. While nominally 20.7 miles, strong tides and currents in the Channel make the real distance covered by swimmers 30 miles or more. On August 22, 2011 Pat entered the English Channel determined to reach France. With her crew of brother David, sister-in-law Jeannie, and nephews' Kyle and Chris (Robbie's son), she reached her dream in a time of 15 hours and 57 minutes. The English Channel Swimming Association awarded her with the "Rosemary George Award for the 'Most Meritorious Swim of the Year' for 2011." Then, on October 18, 2011 Pat at the age of 60 years and 258 days set a new World Record for the Oldest Woman to swim from Catalina Island to the mainland of California ( 21 mile swim). She was accompanied by her crew: brother Bill and sister-in-law Jean. Her swim was dedicated to her brother Johnny who died at the age of seventeen in a tragic accident. Pat has written a children's book called, "Catalina...Oh, my! An Adventure Story." She is currently looking for a publisher for her completed 32 page picture book. Pat founded "Valentine's Day...Swim for your Heart." a global swim event to bring an awareness of heart disease and prevention. http://swimforyourheartfeb14.com She encourages swimmers worldwide to participate in thought and action by swimming on February 14. Swimmers donate to their favorite heart charity or program. In 2011 the "Daily News of Open Water Swimming" announced the nominees for the "World Open Water Swimmer, Woman of the Year" award. Pat at the age of 60 was nominated for this award. Then in 2012 at the age of 61, she was nominated for World Open Water Swimmer, Woman of the Year" award. Also, in 2012 and 2013 she was selected as one of 101 women worldwide as "101 Movers and Shakers" in the world of open water swimming.....known as "open water ambassadors, spreading their enthusiasm and passion for the sport. ". In 2016 at the age of 65, she was nominated for World Open Water Swimmer, Woman of the Year and nominated for Global Marathon Swimmers Federation Solo Swim of the Year for her record setting North Channel swim. Pat was inducted into the Maine Swimming and Diving Hall of Fame on April 12, 2014.

In 2012 Pat announced that she will attempt to swim the Oceans Seven Challenge. On September 13, 2012 she completed Japan's Tsugaru Strait (her fourth swim of the challenge) in a time of 19 hours and 36 minutes (33 miles) and set a world record for the oldest woman to swim Tsugaru Strait at the age of 61 years and 224 days. Her crew consisted of Yoko Aoshima and Pat Whitney. In August 2013 Pat attempted to swim the North Channel between Ireland and Scotland. After swimming for 16 hours and 43 minutes and less than one mile from the finish line, the tidal flow changed directions and prevented Pat from completing her swim. On January 24, 2014 Pat attempted to swim Cook Strait in New Zealand. Mother Nature provided very strong tidal flows preventing her from reaching the finish line after several hours of swimming. In July of 2015, Pat returned home from Ireland after waiting two weeks for an opportunity to swim the North Channel. Mother Nature provided unsettled weather and a swim was not permitted. On August 24, 2016 Pat attempted a solo crossing of the North Channel with boat pilot Quinton Nelson, crew members Tom Charette and Fergal Somerville. The North Channel is regarded as one of the most challenging swims in the world with its prolific blooms of jellyfish, cold water temperatures, and unforgiving strong currents. She was successful in a time of 14 hours and 22 minutes. At the age of 65 years and 204 days, she set a world record for the oldest woman to swim the most challenging channel swim in the world. She became the 41st person in history to complete this grueling channel. On May 20, 2017 at the age of 66 years and 107 days old, she had successful solo crossing of the Molakai Channel between the islands of Oahu and Molokai in a time of 23 hours and 54 minutes....setting a world record for oldest woman to swim Molokai Channel. She became the 52nd person in history to complete the longest challenge of the Oceans Seven. Her crew consisted of David & Jeannie Gallant and Bill & Jean Gallant. Twenty-eight days after her successful swim of Molokai channel, Pat attempted to swim the English Channel. On June 17, 2017 at the age of 66 years and 135 days she had a successful crossing of the English Channel and setting a world record for oldest woman to swim the channel. Her swim will be published in the September 2018 publication of the Guinness Book of World Records. Her son Tom who encouraged her many years ago to try open water swimming was her crew. On November 4, 2017 the English Channel Swimming Association awarded her the O'Clee Trophy for Oldest Successful Swimmer and the Mercedes Glietze Trophy for Female Pioneer Swim. Her son Tom who encouraged her many years ago attended the presentation ceremony. Mercedes' daughter presented Pat with the prestigious award.

On August 30, 2017 Pat completed a solo crossing of Lake Ontario, Canada. Also, known as the Marilyn Bell route, 32 miles. In a time of 24 hours and 28 minutes. She set a new world record for the oldest woman at the age of 66 years and 209 days old. Pat is now a member of the 24 hour club. Her lone crew member sister-in-law Jean Gallant did an amazing job closely monitoring Pat. Many thanks to boat pilot Christine Arsenault (and her crew). A special thank you to Solo Swims of Ontario's president Marilyn Korzekwa for providing a very safe and well planned swim.

Her final swim challenge to complete the Oceans Seven is Cook Strait in New Zealand scheduled for 2019 (waiting list nearly three years. Yikes!!!). In the meantime, pat will continue other marathon swims on her extensive bucket list of open water swims.

On November 1, 2017 the World Open Water Swimming Association announced their nominees for WOWSA, Woman of the Year. Pat was nominated with eleven amazing women. This is Pat's fourth nomination for World Open Water Swimmer, Woman of the Year since the age of 60.

In 2018 Pat was chosen by Swimsuits for All for a photoshoot in California. She will be wearing their beautiful swimsuits in her next four marathon swims. Fabulous product!